To complete the objectives outlined throughout the course, I used many resources. The assignments for this course included a rhetorical analysis, a PowerPoint presentation, a reflective essay, and a final paper, in addition to a weekly blog assignment and e-portfolio. For the purpose of this essay I will identify how each assignment was completed and what means were used.
The first assignment to be completed was a short rhetorical analysis. I chose to use the Nissan LEAF: Polar Bear commercial for this essay. After watching several advertisements, I decided to use this particular one because of the emotion that it stirred in me. Realizing it’s strong appeal to pathos, I considered it to be ideal for a rhetorical analysis. I watched the commercial several times, both with the sound on and off, in order to analyze it properly. After outlining my ideas on paper, I wrote the essay over a period of two days.
The next assignment for this course was a PowerPoint presentation on Plato’s Dialectic. At first, it was difficult for me to distinguish between Plato’s Dialectic and regular dialectic. While finding that there were differences mostly related to the period in time and dominant ideologies of that time, the basis for each was the same: a search for truth through discussion. After writing out my presentation I took the key points and put them in my PowerPoint presentation. I used the remaining information and used it during my presentation to explain the subject to my classmates.
After completing my PowerPoint presentation, I wrote a reflective essay detailing how rhetoric was used to create the presentation. The essay outlined how I took my audience (my classmates) into consideration when putting the presentation together. For this assignment, I had to look back and think what my goals were when creating my presentation. It forced me to see that while I may not have been aware of it at the time, rhetoric played a major part in my assignment because it was designed in such a way to keep the audience interested and to simplify the information in an effort to facilitate learning.
The final essay was by far the most difficult assignment to complete. To begin with, I had a very difficult time deciding on a topic to write about. While initially my plan was to write about one of my favorite TV shows, I quickly realized that there was no topic I truly wanted to discuss from the show. I then decided to switch gears and take a still-relevant topic from the 1960’s film Funny Girl. So for this assignment I analyzed how physical appearance affects a woman’s success in life. I had several ideas that I wanted to discuss in my paper, however I still needed real life examples to drive home the point I was trying to make. By analyzing both the film and several articles that discussed my topic, I was able to complete the assignment.
Finally, to bring everything together I completed an E-Portfolio on Blogger. I posted each assignment in its entirety and decided to include images for each one. The idea to use images came after the portfolio was complete. Fearing that endless text might bore my audience, I included imaged which were related to the assignment in question. For the first rhetorical essay I included a screen shot from the Nissan commercial I was analyzing. For my final paper post, I used an iconic Barbara Streisand photo from her Funny Girl days. By using images along with the text, I believe I was able to introduce a visual appeal to my portfolio.
Throughout this course, I received several assignments that seemed daunting at first. I quickly realized that with some effort and dedication, I was able to complete the assignments on time. Being able to preview my classmate’s work by reading the blogs was extremely beneficial to me, as were the chat sessions. By tapping into what I learned throughout the course, I was able to complete my work to a level that was satisfactory to me. I learned invaluable information that I can now use throughout the remainder of my academic life.
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